BEHIND THE LENSES

AlSci students weigh in on the new normal learning set-up

Education must continue.

In a press release, Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said that “in the midst of the Coronavirus crisis… Education must continue whether face-to-face or virtual, with or without physically going to school.”

In order to pursue its “Education must continue,” mantra, the Department of Education proposed five different learning modalities in its Learning Continuity Plan: Online Distance Learning, Blended Learning, Modular Distance Learning, Radio-Based Instruction, and TV-based Instruction.

As the school year of online learning came to its end, the students of Alabel National Science High School (ANSHS) expressed their viewpoints on the effectiveness of the new normal modalities.

Students highlighted the plights of conducting online and blended learning as the primary modalities used by the school.

Behind the Lenses

Allyssa Aisha Perez

What happened to it “will work”?

In a report presented on September 2020, students expected that distance learning ‘will work’ as learning shifts online.

Venn Justine Cubelo, Grade 12 student, shared that “it will be a very challenging school year,” but she was hopeful that despite the challenges, the students and teachers will help each other to achieve efficient learning as promised of the institution.

An incoming Grade 10 student, Leica Gayle Zapanta also stated that this kind of online learning shift will be a bumpy start, but assures that with the good quality of education the school has, she was convinced that the school will not disappoint the parents and students.

More compliance than learning

According to Paul John Delos Reyes, President of the ANSHS Supreme Student Government, online classes have their downsides, such as the number of module activities per subject piling up every week that cause strain to every student.

“It’s very draining. Considering that we’re conducting classes online at our homes, I can’t help but mix my priorities and lose focus. Also, too much of this takes a toll on our mental and physical health as we often opt to sleep late,” he elaborated.

Adrianne Alquiza, Grade 8 student, also supported president’s sentiments and mentioned the unavoidable loss of internet connection hindering the opportunity for students to fully grasp each topic discussed.

“I think that it is more on compliance than learning. But it also has a good point since you can spend your time with your family and you own the time. I believe time management is the key,” Jazzmine Wynne Lu, grade 12 student, emphasized.

Grueling efforts to keep up

Kyle Lanza, Grade 12 modular-based learner, experienced many difficulties because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Covid-19 took the whole world back on its knees since the last millennia. It brought us the introduction of the “New Normal,” which is the new system of our daily lives. From conversing with other people having 1-meter social distancing, up to online-based education. As a student amidst this pandemic, I experienced a lot of difficulties. Being a modular-based learner, I am learning by myself and fixing my errors in order to grow as a student. I am coping up with online distance learning by regularly updating with my fellow classmates and student buddies to be reminded of our class activities and other important things,” Lanza stated.

Glimpse of light

Nevertheless, some students still express delight over the new normal learning set-up, Angela Tagalog and Patrick Oliver Montano, a Grade 7 and a Grade 9 student, stated that online lectures gave them full control over their learnings, allowing them to work at a modest pace, without sacrificing the quality of learning.

“So far, these online classes are manageable. It has its flaws, but the teachers are very understanding and neighborly when it comes to the imminent problems encountered by the students,” Julie Pomperada, Grade 11 student, asserted.

Additionally, Diane Grace Manlapig, Grade 7 student, shared that online learning helped her “in positive ways,” stating that as soon as the teacher gives an activity, she makes sure that she finishes everything before the deadline to avoid cramming and anxiety.

Faculty’s stance

In line with these mixed sentiments from the studentry, Rolando N. Nerpiol Jr., the Faculty President of ANSHS, pinpointed that the difficulties encountered during the online classes do not equate to the incompetence of the various learning modalities.

“An online class allows studentteacher interaction to break the monotony of living in quarantine and provides a venue for learning. The attendance in SODL proves that students want to learn in any way possible; scores in online quizzes show that most of the students are doing well with their studies,” he emphasized.

Regarding the number of requirements given by the teachers, the school faculty president elaborated that the activities offered help attain mastery, basic knowledge, and skills in the subject areas in the absence of teachers.

“We do not expect something grand in these trying times. The MELC is meant to simplify the targets of learning. The LAS and the SLM are designed to serve as selfexplanatory activities and learning material,” he added.•